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Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American Revolution
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Even as American Patriots fought for independence from British rule during the Revolutionary War, oppressive conditions remained in place for the thousands of enslaved and free African Americans living in this country. But African Americans took up their own fight for freedom by joining the British and American armies; preaching, speaking out, and writing about the evils of slavery; and establishing settlements in Nova Scotia and Africa. The thirteen stories featured in this collection spotlight charismatic individuals who answered the cry for freedom, focusing on the choices they made and how they changed America both then and now. These individuals include: Boston King, Agrippa Hull, James Armistead Lafayette, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, Prince Hall, Mary Perth, Ona Judge, Sally Hemings, Paul Cuffe, John Kizell, Richard Allen, and Jarena Lee. Includes individual bibliographies and timelines, author note, and source notes.
- Reading age9 - 12 years
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level4 - 7
- Dimensions8.43 x 0.87 x 10.31 inches
- PublisherCalkins Creek
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2016
- ISBN-10162979306X
- ISBN-13978-1629793061
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From the Publisher
THE STORY OF A HIDDEN CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The thirteen people in this book include men and women, free and enslaved, northern and southern, African-born and American-born; soldiers, preachers, farmers, a sea captain, a poet...
They had heard the claim that all people are free and equal. They believed it.
Learn about the risks they took, the hardships they faced, and the victories they won.
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatch’d from Afric’s fancy’d happy seat:
--------------------------
Such, such my case. And can I then but pray
Others may never feel tyrannic sway?
—— Phillis Wheatley
"I began to feel the HAPPINESS OF LIBERTY, of which I knew NOTHING before."
Boston King, an enslaved South Carolinian, escaped to the British army, gained his freedom, and fought for his liberators. Agrippa Hull, born free, joined the Continental army when he was eighteen. He traveled thousands of miles away from home, served under famous Revolutionary heroes, and witnessed large-scale slavery in the south. James Armistead Lafayette, enslaved in Virginia, joined the Continental army and became a spy for the Americans, then a double agent.
No one could teach Phillis Wheatley how to balance her two worlds—polite white society and her African heritage—for no one shared her position. But Phillis learned how to do it—with poetry. What’s more, she used poetry to speak about the fractious politics of the day. Phillis Wheatley dared to speak her truth to the world: she was proud to be a poet, a Christian, and an African American.
In Philadelphia’s St. George’s Methodist Church, African Americans were not allowed downstairs with the white worshipers. Richard Allen fought against the rule by leading the entire black congregation down the stairs and out of the church. Their dramatic protest made it clear that Allen and his friends believed that “all men are created equal.”
How is ANSWERING THE CRY FOR FREEDOM relevant to kids today?
Even though the thirteen people in Answering the Cry lived a long time ago under very different circumstances, we share many of their feelings and longings. Sometimes they were unsure of themselves, afraid, and confused. They made mistakes. We can all relate to these experiences. Answering the Cry demonstrates that people don’t have to become famous like Richard Allen and Phillis Wheatley to make a difference... I hope readers will see that there are many ways to lead an honorable life. I also hope the book will inspire readers to look for other untold stories, not only in history but also in their own families, in their communities. Everyone has a story to tell.
—— Gretchen Woelfle, author of the book
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
"Author Woelfle and illustrator Christie share the stories of African American patriots of the American Revolution, an important and interesting part of history that is not often covered in texts. The personal stories will inspire and guide many who are forging their own path for equal rights today....a well researched book that will make history relatable for students."—VOYA
“Woelfle’s storytelling clips nicely along. What elevates this effort are the saucy, old-timey ink illustrations by Christie.”—The Atlanta Journal Constitution
“Students will easily identify with the challenges faced by these notables…Teachers will love the extensively researched text, and librarians will love the in-text quotes, poems, journal excerpts, letters, epitaphs, testimonies, and other primary source content. Skillfully written by multiple award-winning author, Woelfle, and illustrated with pen and ink drawings by award-winning illustrator, Christie, this book…is ideally suited for all middle grades studying early American history, civil rights, and government. Highly Recommended.”—School Library Connection
“This outstanding book is not just a history of African Americans, but rather an honest look at the complicated, often hypocritical definitions that Americans have ascribed to the idea of liberty from our earliest days.”—Booklist
“Through the use of personal testimonies, Woelfle presents an approachable but detailed narrative. Pull quotes in bold and simple but telling illustrations allow the work to flow like a storybook. Researchers and history fans alike will surely appreciate this work that brings attention to a missing part of U.S. history.”—School Library Journal
“Thirteen combined biographies showcase the different experiences of African Americans in the years surrounding the American Revolution. Each tale carefully highlights both the individual's unique story (soldier; slave; minister, trader, etc.) and unifying themes.”—The Horn Book Guide
About the Author
R. Gregory Christie is the award-winning illustrator of over fifty children's books, including The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, edited by Davida Adedjouma, which won a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration, and Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. He lives in Decatur, Georgia, where he also owns and operates a bookstore that sells autographed children's books. gas-art.com
Product details
- Publisher : Calkins Creek
- Publication date : October 4, 2016
- Edition : Illustrated
- Language : English
- Print length : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 162979306X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1629793061
- Item Weight : 1.86 pounds
- Reading age : 9 - 12 years
- Dimensions : 8.43 x 0.87 x 10.31 inches
- Grade level : 4 - 7
- Best Sellers Rank: #51,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors

Gretchen Woelfle is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers. She is most curious – some say nosy – about people who do extraordinary things. Some are already famous. Others, like Jeannette Rankin and Mumbet, should be more famous. When not traveling in Europe and Asia, sometimes on a bicycle, looking for new stories, Gretchen lives in Los Angeles, California. There you’ll find her tending her garden, with seven different fruit trees, blackberries, passion fruit, veggies, and a tree drooping with dozens of avocados. Or running through a playground keeping track of her toddler twin grandchildren. Or singing in a choir. Or hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains. But mostly just sitting around researching, writing, and rewriting another book. More at www.gretchenwoelfle.com

R. Gregory Christie is a multi award-winning illustrator and author for numerous children's books. His passion for art has presented him the NAACP Image Award, Caldecott Honor, Sibert Honor, an Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nomination, three New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Award, and six Coretta Scott King Honor Awards in Illustration. He is the owner of GAS Art Gifts, an online children’s bookstore that sells the books, art and stationery connected to his published titles. Find out more about Gregory and his store’s services by visiting www.gas-art.com and see information about his lecturing services on www.rgregorychristie.com.

































